Author: Steven Sahiounie

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Wednesday that over 90,000 people have been displaced due to the intensified Israeli airstrikes targeting multiple areas in Lebanon amid the ongoing escalation with Hezbollah. In a statement, the IOM confirmed that “more than 90,530” individuals have been displaced since Monday. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib stated on Tuesday that the number of displaced persons due to the current escalation could now be approaching half a million. Since Monday, Israel has launched unprecedented heavy airstrikes, primarily targeting southern and eastern Lebanon, claiming that the attacks are aimed at Hezbollah strongholds. On…

Swiss authorities have arrested a Moroccan national suspected of murdering a 19-year-old university student, whose body was found in a forest near Paris, according to officials. The suspect, a 22-year-old Moroccan, had previously been convicted of rape and was under an order to leave France, as reported by a source familiar with the case who spoke to AFP. The victim’s body was discovered in the Bois de Boulogne, a forest located in western Paris, close to Paris-Dauphine University, where she was a student. French officials confirmed on Tuesday that the suspect was apprehended in Switzerland. The Paris prosecutor’s office stated…

Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions for the past four seasons, officially confirmed on Wednesday that their Spanish international midfielder Rodri has suffered a knee ligament injury. The injury occurred during the top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal, which ended in a 2-2 draw on Sunday. The club stated in an official announcement, “The assessment is ongoing to determine the full extent of the injury and the expected diagnosis.” Rodri, 28, was forced to leave the pitch during the match against Arsenal after falling to the ground clutching his right knee. Reports earlier this week suggested that the midfielder might miss…

A Thai crocodile farm culled 125 of its reptiles, the farm owner revealed on Wednesday, to prevent them from escaping during the ongoing floods and posing a danger to the local population. Natapak Khomkad, a crocodile breeder in Lamphun Province in northwest Thailand, explained to AFP that “heavy rains cracked the farm’s walls,” forcing him to “sadly put down 125” of the crocodiles he had been raising for 17 years. To prevent the Siamese crocodiles from escaping into the countryside and potentially attacking villagers and livestock, the owner and his staff used electric shocks to euthanize them. Photos shared on…

French defender Raphaël Varane, a key player in France’s 2018 World Cup victory, announced his retirement from football on Wednesday at the age of 31. Varane, who previously played for Real Madrid and Manchester United, has been struggling with a knee injury since joining newly promoted Italian Serie A side Como. This injury has kept him out of the team’s official lineup. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Varane wrote, “I’ve fallen and gotten back up a thousand times, but this time, it’s time to stop and retire from the game after my last match, which ended with winning a…

The Egyptian Cabinet’s Media Center on Wednesday dismissed rumors circulating about the contamination of drinking water with a harmful microbe. In response to viral voice messages shared on social media, particularly through WhatsApp, warning people not to drink water from 3 AM to 10 PM, the center reached out to the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater for clarification. The Holding Company for Water and Wastewater confirmed that these claims are entirely false. They stated that no official warnings or advisories had been issued by any competent authorities regarding the safety of drinking water. The company assured the public that…

In a joint statement on Wednesday, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq warned that Israel is “pushing the region towards a full-scale war” as it continues its military campaign in Gaza and intensifies airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The foreign ministers of the three nations, following a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, discussed the “ongoing dangerous escalation in the region.” They emphasized that halting this escalation begins with stopping Israel’s aggression against Gaza. The ministers condemned Israel’s “aggression against Lebanon,” stressing that Israel’s actions are driving the region toward a comprehensive war, according to…

On Wednesday, Israel intensified its airstrikes across various regions of Lebanon amid escalating tensions and growing fears of a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. For the first time, the Israeli bombardment targeted the mountainous village of Maaysra in the Keserwan area, north of Beirut, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency. Residents of the predominantly Shia village, located in the largely Christian district of Keserwan, reported hearing two explosions. A witness described seeing a house and a café completely destroyed at the site of the strike. The airstrike on Maaysra resulted in 4 fatalities and 9 injuries, according to…

Al-Hilal’s head coach, Jorge Jesus, has announced that Brazilian star Neymar da Silva is not yet ready for an imminent return to action with the team. Neymar, who signed with Al-Hilal in August 2023, has only played five matches before undergoing surgery due to a severe knee injury sustained while on international duty in October. Despite Neymar’s return to training in July, sparking speculation about his comeback, Jesus tempered expectations during a post-match press conference. Jesus, who led Al-Hilal to their 19th league title in May, stated on Tuesday, “Neymar is an important player for Al-Hilal and the league as…

Gold reached a historic peak in the spot market on Wednesday, climbing to $2,665.10 per ounce. U.S. gold futures also saw a rise of 0.2%, trading at $2,682.60 per ounce. The U.S. dollar weakened by 0.2%, making dollar-denominated bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies. Among other precious metals, silver held steady at $32.11 per ounce, platinum increased by 0.4% to $989.60, while palladium slipped 0.2% to $1,054.75 per ounce.